The finalists for the 2022 Queer Student Awards (QSA) have been announced.
The QSAs are the UK’s fully LGBTQ+ inclusive awards celebration for the early career community, celebrating young LGBTQ+ people, employers, and education together in one event. The finalists have been selected by this year’s QSA judging panel, who commended them for the inspirational work that they are doing to raise awareness of the challenges young LGBTQ+ people still face today and for the proactive ways in which they have overcome adversities faced which shared knowledge of their sexuality or gender identity has presented them with, shared the organiser.
“It was great to see so many young LGBTQ+ people, and those who support and provide safe inclusive spaces for them to thrive, submit entries this year. The judges have worked very hard and I’m incredibly grateful for their support in our second year of hosting the awards. I’m excited to meet our finalists at the live final taking place in Manchester during the UK’s 50th Pride month in just a few weeks’ time,” shared Steve Keith, QSA Event Director and Founder.
The awards, taking place at Whitworth Locke at the Civic Quarter in Manchester on Thursday 23rd June, will be hosted by newly published author and content creator, Ben Pechey. It will be a live in-person event, following a virtual launch last year. Finalists and guests will be treated to performances by drag queens Lady Bushra and Asifa Lahore, and a keynote speech from Trans In The City founder, Bobbi Pickard. A percentage of the profits from the event will be donated to LGBT-inclusion charity Diversity Role Models. For those unable to attend in-person there will be a free livestream provided by event sponsor Not Going To Uni.
INSPIRING LGBTQ+ TALENT
“Having studied vocationally and then worked in the FE sector for a number of years, I wish that the Queer Student Awards had come along sooner. They now play a vital role in recognising the truly inspirational students, educators, and employers making the world of study and work better for LGBTQ+ people. It’s been a privilege to judge the awards in 2022 and I’m in awe of the quality of applications that the awards received this year,” said CP Quinn, Partnerships Manager for Portsmouth Pride and Founder of Queer All Year.
Judging the QSA submissions “was highly inspiring and gave me hope that the UK has begun to move out of the shadow cast by Section 28, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel (or the end of the Rainbow),” commented Laila El-Metoui, Founder of Pride in Education. “What a brilliant initiative, so needed in this current climate, I am grateful for such a celebratory space for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Manuel Schlothauer, Founder of HeyManuel.com, added: “Reading the incredible work of all nominees has been truly inspiring, moving and humbling, and I cannot wait to celebrate each and everyone of them with a big, queer party!”
2022’S SHORTLISTED QSA FINALISTS
The shortlisted finalists by category include:
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CATEGORIES
Activist of the Year:
- Alek Macrae, University of Gloucestershire
- Grace Armstrong, Northumbria Student Union
- Joel Cooper, University of Warwick
- Rowan Westcott, The Perse Upper School, Cambridge
Ally of the Year:
- Jim Donnell, AstraZeneca
- Mia Dickson, University of Hertfordshire
- Sophia Daly, Dudley College
Campaign/Event of The Year:
- Q&A & Pride Bingo with Divina Campo, AZ Pride
- NSU Pride Zone, Northumbria Students Union
- Queer State of the Union, Dudley College
Community Group of the Year:
- Anti-Homophobia and Transphobia committee, La Sainte Union School
- LGBT+ Society, University of Hertfordshire
- Warwick Professional LGBTUA+ and Allies Network (PLAN), University of Warwick
Freelancer of the Year:
- Jesse Grainger, Revolutionary Magazine
Role Model of the Year (Young LGBTQ+ Person):
- Ben Lyall, Northumbria Student Union
- Brooke James, Elizabeth Academy, Retford
- Georgina Wrigg, Burgess Hill Girls
- Harry Morgan, University of Essex
- Jaime Prada, University of Edinburgh
- Orsen Nakatudde-Ayoola, Coombe Boys School, New Malden
- Sheetal Martine Joseph, University of Hertfordshire
EMPLOYER CATEGORIES
Employee Network of the Year:
- Arcus, Clifford Chance
- AZ Pride, AstraZeneca
- Spectrum, Centrica
Graduate of the Year:
- Jack Cleary, AstraZeneca
- Laura Wells, Johnson Matthey
Rising Star of the Year:
- Ben Tomlinson-Men, Centrica
- Georgina Aryton-Parker, AstraZeneca
- Tabitha Hughes, Emmerson & Ward Ltd
Role Model of the Year:
- David Westbury, AstraZeneca
- Hanita Gill, Johnson Matthey
- Louise Blanchard-Knight, Acorn Training Ltd
- Patrick Brennan, AstraZeneca
EDUCATION CATEGORIES
School/College of the Year:
- Plymouth College of Art
- Sheffield College
- William farr CofE School
Role Model of the Year (Education):
- Chloe McKendrick, University of Hertfordshire
- Chris Mattley, William Farr CofE School
- Emily Cookson-Williams, University of Roehampton
- Kiera White, Northumbria Student Union
University Network of the Year:
- LGBT Network, University of Huddersfield
- Northumbria LGBTQ* Staff Network, Northumbria University
- Rainbow Network, University of Birmingham
You can view the full shortlist and find out more about the awards event here. Fair Play Talks is proud to be a media partner of the QSAs this year.
You can check out last year’s winner here.
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